Crowley Charters Four New LNG-Powered Containerships for Central America Trade

U.S. shipping and logistics company Crowley has awarded a time charter contract to Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) for four newbuild containerships powered by liquified natural gas (LNG).

The vessels will service Crowley’s U.S.-Central America trade, offering significantly lower vessel greenhouse gas emissions, such as sulfur oxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide while eliminating particulate matter compared with conventional diesel fuel. The vessels will be fitted with high-pressure ME-GI engines from MAN Energy Solutions, reducing methane slippage to negligible levels and making them vessels the most environmentally efficient in their category.

Each ship will have capacity for 1,400 TEUs (20-foot container equivalent units), and will feature 300 refrigerated unit plugs for the transport perishable cargo. They will operate under a long-term time charter to Crowley, expanding the company’s fleet and supply chain capabilities connecting U.S. markets to Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

The vessels will be built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea and are planned for delivery in 2025.

“We are excited to develop our U.S. market footprint through these long-term time charters with such a reputable partner,” said Cyril Ducau, CEO at Eastern Pacific Shipping. “Like EPS, Crowley enjoys a rich history and diverse business portfolios, but more importantly, their organization is driven by a vision to lead the industry’s decarbonization efforts. Once delivered, these vessels will be IMO 2030 compliant five years ahead of schedule and will play an important role as the world and industry transition to cleaner energy sources.”

Crowley has been operating in Central America for more than 60 years, offering ocean shipping, trucking and warehousing services.

“These four ships will play a significant part in driving Crowley’s strategic growth in our supply chain services for the U.S., Central America and Caribbean. In addition, the vessels use of LNG and emissions technology will advance the company’s commitment to innovation and decarbonization in the shipping industry as part of our sustainability strategy,” said Tom Crowley, Crowley’s Chairman and CEO. “As more companies diversify their supply chains using nearshoring and the resources of Central America, Crowley will enhance our end-to-end logistics services to be partners in their growth.”

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